A Review on the Assessment of the Fauna in the Wildlife Act, 1972

Abstract

Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu; island territories of Andaman and Lakshadweep are found to be the major source for protected species. The present study finds that protected marine species are an integral part in the growing marine curio business. High market demand, coupled with a lack of awareness and an inadequate enforcement were found to be major driving forces for the illegal marine curio trade. Awareness campaigns, along with a promotion of viable and alternate sources of income for seashell/coral collectors and strengthening of law enforcement may curtail the illegal marine curio trade.In the curio trade, 16 protected molluscs, corals, and one sea horse species, along with other marine taxa, were found. Pleuroploca trapezium and Trochusniloticus are the most common protected mollusc species available on the market. Around 82 percent of the markets surveyed were curious about hard coral. On the curio sector, the average size of the covered molluscs was found to be smaller than their average wild size, suggesting potential over-exploitation. The Interviews of the local vendors have revealed that each vendor sells about 15% of the protected species annually, producing an annual turnover of about 1.5 lakhs (INR).The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu; the primary source of endangered species is the island territories of Andaman and Lakshadweep.The present study finds that marine protected species are an important part of the growing business of marine curiosity. Strong consumer demand, combined with a lack of knowledge and poor regulation, has been described as a major driving force for the illicit trade in marine curiosities. The illicit marine curio trade can be curtailed by awareness campaigns, along with the promotion of viable and alternative sources of income for seashell/coral collectors and strengthening law enforcement.